4.Energy Tips
Past energy audits have identified many of the following issues relating to energy reduction programs:
Students observed that it may be possible to save energy by investigating the refrigerators in the school as there were a large number of these appliances. Also, the students who surveyed the canteen discovered that the refrigerators are left on all year including the holidays and so this could be an area where electricity could be saved through consolidation of food into one refrigerator.
Installing timers on selected light switches.
Put ‘turn off the light switches’ on lights.
Zip boiling water units use much electricity, and so turning off this hot water unit over the weekend and during the holidays (possibly using 7 day digital timers to ensure success.) is essential. Recent information from Zip Hot Water research shows that it is inefficient to turn off Zip hot water units overnight, butthere are significant savings if boiling water units are turned off for longer periods when not needed.
The hot water systems could be switched off over the holidays when the cleaners are not in the school, as heating is a significant percentage of the yearly power bills.
Use energy saver option on photocopiers.
Many computers were already programmed to switch to low power mode after 10 minutes of inactivity and this should be a policy for all new computers.
Replacing incandescent globes with energy efficient fluoros.
Isolating lights with new circuits, so that smaller banks of lights can be turned on in some rooms.
Investigate skylights and solar panels.
Education programs in the school to encourage turning off lights when not needed (eg in rooms with plenty of light or in areas already lit by natural light).
Install electro mechanical timer controls for air conditioners to turn off after 60-120 minutes of use.
In order to reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions use public transport, walk to school or car pool.
Put blinds up all the ways to let in more light instead of turning on all lights.
Wear extra clothing instead of automatically turning on heaters.
Use ‘turn off the light’ stickers to remind people to turn off the lights when not needed.
Develop a school program to turn off lights when not in use eg light monitors.
Turn off computer screens when not in use. Screen savers do not save any energy.
Take out light tubes in areas where there is excessive lighting. Clean light diffusers and fittings regularly.
Turn off freezers and refrigerators when not on use for extended periods eg every school holiday.
Turn off water heaters including zip heaters on the week-ends and school holidays. Zip heaters use a lot of electricity (average wattage 2400 ).
Use energy saver on photocopiers and computers.
Staff turn off any appliances that are not in use as stand by also uses energy.
Light fittings with old 38mm diameter fluorescent tubes use 8-19% more energy than new 26mm tubes.26mm tubes are 25%cheaper and give better light.
As the light from old tubes may be ineffective replace fluorescent tubes every 8,000 – 10,000 hrs.
As draughts cause heat loss, seal gaps under the doors either with a cloth snake or a metal strip designed for this purpose.
ENERGY CONSERVATION IN SCHOOLS: IDEAS For YEN meetings focusing on Energy Reduction
1.Movie Clip to show your school YEN team: Click here to understand about Carbon Emissions
Energy Saving Campaign_VicGov_Black Balloons_45.mpg
2.Energy AustraliaTips on Energy Reduction Strategies: http://www.energysave.energyaustralia.com.au/carbon-emissions-and-you2
3.Action Plans : Click here to downkload some sample school energy actiopn plans
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4.Energy Tips
Past energy audits have identified many of the following issues relating to energy reduction programs:
As the light from old tubes may be ineffective replace fluorescent tubes every 8,000 – 10,000 hrs.